Love Sets You Free

This brief letter is so interesting. In it, Paul demolishes any argument in support of slavery for believers. He refuses to let Philemon continue to view Onisemus purely as property. Once you see someone as made in the image of God, it should be impossible to treat them as a thing to be used for your comfort and convenience. But the most interesting part for me is that although Paul repeatedly implies that he could force Philemon to do as he asks, instead he appeals to him to voluntarily choose to do the right thing out of love. I believe this is how God treats us. Although the omnipotent God of the universe could force us to do anything, He loves and respects us enough to let us voluntarily choose to do the right thing. In God’s wisdom, He knows that what is freely given must be freely accepted. So, He gives us grace upon grace upon grace to the end that in accepting it we will freely understand and appreciate what it cost the Giver and we will become givers of grace ourselves. Thank you Lord for Your amazing Word!